Copying machine and cartridge for accommodating photosensitive sheet

Abstract

A copying machine has a cartridge loading hole for detachably receiving a cartridge for accommodating a roll of photosensitive sheet. The cartridge comprises a cylindrical core with the photosensitive sheet wound thereon, a rear flange secured to one end of the core in close contact with an one end face of the roll of photosensitive sheet for shielding light from the same, a cylindrical core cap secured to the other end of the core and having a lock pawl capable of elastic deformation, a cover flange for covering the other end face of the roll therewith, the cover flange having two grooves engaged with the lock pawl in close contact with the other end face of the roll at a first position and engaged with the lock pawl in a state separated from the other end face thereof at a second position by pushing the core relative to the cover flange. Thus, no exclusive casing is needed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cartridge for accomodating a roll of photosensive sheet therein, which comprises: a core with the photosensitive sheet wound thereon;   a rear flange secured to one end of said core in close contact with one end face of the roll of the photosensitive sheet for shielding light from the photosensitive sheet;   a core cap secured to the other end of said core;   a cover flange engaged with said core cap so as to cover the other end face of the roll for shielding light therefrom, said cover flange being detachably fitted into a cartridge loading hole formed in an outer body of a copying machine; and   a locking means disposed between said core cap and cover flange for locking said core cap on said cover flange at a first and a second predetermined positions which are separated from each other in an axial direction of said core cap, said cover flange being in close contact with the other end face of the roll at said first position, said cover flange being separated from the other end face of the roll by pushing said core cap from said first position to said second position so that the roll is capable of rotating.   
     
     
       2. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises at least one lock pawl formed on said core cap so as to be elastically deformed and two grooves formed axially separately from each other on a center bearing portion of said cover flange so as to be engaged with said lock pawl. 
     
     
       3. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said rear flange is provided with a bar code. 
     
     
       4. A cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising: a sheet-like leading piece connected to the photosensitive sheet wound on said core for shielding light from the photosensitive sheet in cooperation with said rear flange and cover flange.   
     
     
       5. A cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said rear flange is provided with a bar code having information for operating conditions in the copying machine, said bar code being on one side surface of said rear flange which is opposite the other side surface located in close contact with one end face of the roll. 
     
     
       6. A cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said core is cylindrical and has an inner periphery formed with a plurality of splines, and each of said rear flange and cover flange has a splined portion fitted into said inner periphery. 
     
     
       7. A copying machine for performing a copying operation using a photosensitive sheet, which comprises: a cartridge accommodating a roll of photosensitive sheet and having a rear flange provided at one end of said roll;   an outer body having a cartridge loading hole for receiving detachably said cartridge, said cover flange being detachably fitted to said cartridge loading hole to prevent said photosensitive sheet from being exposed to light;   an original support section formed on said outer body;   an exposure means for exposing said photosensitive sheet;   a transferring means for transferring the photosensitive sheet along a guide path while the sheet is taken out of said cartridge; and   a developing means for developing an image on said sheet onto a transfer sheet;   wherein said cartridge includes a core with the photosensitive sheet wound thereon, said rear flange being secured to one end of said core in close contact with one end face of the roll for shielding light from the photosensitive sheet;   a core cap secured to the other end of said core, said core flange being engaged with said core cap so as to cover the other end face of the roll for shielding light therefrom, said cover flange being detachably fitted into a cartridge loading hole formed in an outer body of a copying machine; and   a locking means disposed between said core cap and cover flange for locking said core cap on said cover flange at a first and a second predetermined positions which are separated from each other in an axial direction of said core cap, said cover flange being in close contact with the other end face of the roll at said first position, said cover flange being separated from the other end face of the roll by pushing said core cap from said first position to said second position so that the roll is capable of rotating.   
     
     
       8. A cartridge according to claim 7, further comprising: a sheet-like leading piece connected to the photosensitive sheet wound on said core for shielding light from the photosensitive sheet in cooperation with said rear flange and cover flange.   
     
     
       9. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said rear flange is provided with a bar code. 
     
     
       10. A cartridge according to claim 9, wherein said rear flange is provided with a bar code having information for operating conditions in the copying machine, said bar code being on one side surface of said rear flange which is opposite the other side surface located in close contact with one end face of the roll. 
     
     
       11. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said core is cylindrical and has an inner periphery formed with a plurality of splines, and each of said rear flange and cover flange has a splined portion fitted into said inner periphery. 
     
     
       12. A cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said locking means comprises at least one lock pawl formed on said core cap so as to be elastically deformed and two grooves formed axially separately from each other on a center bearing portion of said cover flange so as to be engaged with said lock pawl.